EXTRA resources have been dedicated to solving a spate of recent burglaries, including a break-in at an Isle of Wight charity.
Following the news that a sixth Island charity, the Real World Trust, had been targeted by criminals at the weekend, police said they had received 20 reports of similar burglaries in the past month.
In a statement issued today (Wednesday) DS Gary Lyons of Isle of Wight CID said: "The number of burglaries on the Island has been falling over the past year so we are determined to eliminate this worrying increase as soon as possible.
"Catching burglars and thieves is a priority for the whole police force as we have already extended our Operation Nemesis to devote additional efforts to protecting the community from the misery these crimes cause for the victims.
"Although these burglaries have taken place at a range of business premises, the effect on charities is particularly abhorrent. We welcome the support of the community in condemning these burglaries, which are never tolerated on our island.
"Specialist officers and staff examine and analyse crime patterns across the island on a daily basis to establish any links between offences and possible suspects. There is no information at this time to confirm that charities specifically are being targeted. These burglaries are part of a wider number of crimes where thieves are looking at premises that store cash.
"Police would like to take this opportunity to renew our appeal to the public for their continued co-operation with any information on people or suspicious behaviour linked to burglaries."
They appealed for anyone with information to contact Isle of Wight CID at Newport police station by phoning 101 or emailing iow.cid@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.
Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Police advised businesses to check their security measures wherever possible to ensure:
● Valuable stock is locked away securely during closing hours.
● Burglar alarms are activated when the premises are unoccupied.
● Photographs of valuable stock are taken to help trace items that may be reported stolen.
● CCTV is installed and kept in good working order.
● Perimeters are secure. This includes checking entrances, exits and outbuildings are locked, and not storing tools or other items such as ladders in visible and accessible places where potential burglars could use them to force entry to premises.
● Property is marked and logged. Etching, engraving, electronic tagging, website registration and ultraviolet marking all assists police in tracing and recovering stolen goods, and apprehending those responsible.
● A minimum amount of cash is kept in the tills. Bank your till takings as regularly as possible.
● Any safe on your premises should be the correct size to store your cash securely.
Further crime prevention advice is available by phoning Hampshire Constabulary on 101 and online via this link: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/advice/advice/crimereduction.htm
Direct contact details for your local Safer Neighbourhoods teams can also be found by going online to www.hampshire.police.uk and typing in your postcode on the front page of our website.
Local crime figures can be accessed via www.crimereports.co.uk or www.police.uk